Demolition and protest
A three-member bench of the Supreme Court once again reiterated its earlier orders to raze to the ground two illegally built super-structures in Karachi, and at the same time reprimanded the cantonment authorities for using defence lands for commercial purposes. The Karachi registry of the apex court wants the city’s developmental mosaic to be legal and well within the domains of civic decency. This is why it has vehemently pursued an anti-encroachment drive against the concerned for playing foul in bending rules to their vested interests. It goes without saying that Karachi, a mega city of more than 25 million inhabitants, doesn’t have a master plan of development, and has become a haphazard jungle of concrete without adequate recourse to civic amenities. It’s ghettoised, per se. The top court, thus, is well within its rights to look into this discrepancy in vogue, and appreciated for putting its foot down in the larger interests of citizens.
The protest on the part of the residents of Nasla Tower, however, needs to be looked at sympathetically. While the law takes its course, it is incumbent upon the builder as well as the authorities to ensure proper compensation to them, and that too at prevailing market value so that they could find some solace in displacement. This demolition episode hints at a deep-rooted mess and corruption prevalent in the departments of land, revenue and municipality. This is where the court should come down hard, and ensure that the culprits are shown the door and the system is reformed as per law. It is ironic that all sorts of illicit alterations in design, allotment and subsequent sale of property take place with impunity.
The court’s comments on misuse of military lands for commercial activities is ordained and a welcome step. The humble submission on the part of the defence secretary that in future no such activity would be planned is appreciated. It will bring more respect to the institution. The provincial government, as well as law-enforcement agencies, should go by the book as the court orders are implemented, and ensure that no excesses are committed against protesting allottees.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 28th, 2021.
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